By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
At least five people have been killed as Cyclone Arnab battered Andhra Pradesh, causing extensive damage to crops, power infrastructure and roads, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm was very likely to move north-northwestwards over the next 48 hours and weaken gradually.
The cyclone crossed the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam early Wednesday, with the landfall process completed by 8 am. It weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm after moving over land, but continued to bring heavy rain and strong winds to coastal districts.
In its latest bulletin, the IMD said Arnab was centred near Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh at 2.30 pm on Wednesday. It was expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm during the evening and further into a deep depression by night.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed him on the impact of the cyclone. He sought the early deployment of central teams to assess the damage and financial assistance from the Centre for relief, rehabilitation and restoration.
In a post on X, Naidu said the cyclone had caused extensive damage to agricultural and horticultural crops, power infrastructure, roads and other public assets. He also apprised Shah of continuing heavy rainfall in affected districts and the relief and restoration operations being undertaken by the state government.
The cyclone uprooted thousands of trees and electricity poles, disrupted power supply and damaged roads and other infrastructure. Standing paddy crops and horticultural plantations were also affected by strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Authorities evacuated people from vulnerable areas and deployed emergency teams for rescue operations, road clearance and restoration of essential services. Several coastal districts remained affected by waterlogging and disruptions to normal life.
At least five people were killed in cyclone-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh, including cases involving electrocution, falling trees and electricity poles, and a wall collapse. The deaths were reported as strong winds and heavy rain battered several districts. Authorities were assessing the damage and monitoring the situation as rescue and restoration operations continued.
The state government is preparing a detailed assessment of the losses and has sought central assistance to support affected families and rebuild damaged infrastructure.
Although the cyclone is expected to weaken, the IMD has warned that heavy rainfall may continue in parts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha.